Chemical Technicians
Chemical technicians conduct chemical and physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in making qualitative and quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, and gaseous materials for research and development of new products or processes, quality control, maintenance of environmental standards, and other work involving experimental, theoretical, or practical application of chemistry and related sciences.
A chemical technologist assists chemists and chemical engineers in researching, developing, producing, and testing chemical products and processes using laboratory techniques and instruments. They work in laboratories or manufacturing units and either conduct experiments or monitor production processes.
The chemical lab technician course entails conducting lab-based tests on a variety of chemicals, materials or products for environmental impact, quality assurance, regulatory adherence, safety inspection, or sample testing.
Chemical technician jobs require either an associate’s degree or 2 years of postsecondary education with coursework in chemistry, biology, biochemistry, chemical engineering, maths or physics, and studies in statistics and computer science.
Laboratory time is a crucial part of the degree program, wherein students will gain hands-on experience in conducting experiments and practising the proper techniques of using laboratory equipment. Chemical laboratory technicians find jobs in research laboratories or manufacturing units.
As their job role demands maintaining quality and creating a safe environment, an aspiring candidate should be well equipped technologically, possess critical thinking, and assume responsibility and accountability. A chemical technician’s salary is commensurate to the nature of the job and is usually high paying.
Qualifications
Every career requires an element of study and academic qualification, and there can be several study routes and pathways you can take. In following any academic pathway you will study subjects that contribute to the specialised knowledge required to achieve your career goals. These qualifications provide a future employer with the evidence that you have the desired knowledge, understanding and experience of their industry, so it’s important to consider the various types of qualifications available to you and to understand how they can boost your career and create opportunities for you.
- BMLT Medical Laboratory Technology
- Diploma Medical Laboratory Technology
Tasks
- Monitor product quality to ensure compliance with standards and specifications.
- Set up and conduct chemical experiments, tests, and analyses, using techniques such as chromatography, spectroscopy, physical or chemical separation techniques, or microscopy.
- Conduct chemical or physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in making qualitative or quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, or gaseous materials.
- Compile and interpret results of tests and analyses.
- Provide technical support or assistance to chemists or engineers.
- Prepare chemical solutions for products or processes, following standardized formulas, or create experimental formulas.
- Maintain, clean, or sterilize laboratory instruments or equipment.
- Write technical reports or prepare graphs or charts to document experimental results.
- Order and inventory materials to maintain supplies.
- Develop or conduct programs of sampling and analysis to maintain quality standards of raw materials, chemical intermediates, or products.
Progression Routes
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